Brian Kelly and Nick Saban have the formula for beating opponents, whether it's about controlling the clock, running the football or getting stops on third down. / Zef Nikolla, AP

by Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports

by Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports

If you're going by the numbers, that is. After 12 or 13 games in 2012 and another two-plus years under their respective head coaches, both the Crimson Tide and Fighting Irish have hit certain markers that essentially guarantee victory.

For example, Notre Dame is 24-1 under coach Brian Kelly when allowing less than 20 points. Alabama is 49-0 since 2008 when rushing for at least 150 yards. More fun with numbers:

-Notre Dame is 16-2 under Kelly when winning the time of possession. That's been a major key in 2012 (9-0), thanks to the Notre Dame running game and the ability of its defense to keep opponents from converting on third down.

-Notre Dame is 5-0-1 when the No. 1 team in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 pairing. The Irish are No. 1 in every poll, while the Tide come in at No. 2.

-Alabama is 61-3 under Saban when leading at halftime. The lone losses came to LSU (2007 and 2010) and Auburn (2010).

-Notre Dame is 23-2 under Kelly when outgaining the opposition on the ground. (Conversely, the Irish are 4-9 when outgained on the ground.

-Alabama is 33-2 since 2008 when throwing for 200 or more yards.

-Notre Dame is 5-1 all-time against Alabama. Four of the five wins came between 1973-80. The lone loss (28-10) came during a regular season game in Tuscaloosa in 1986.

-Alabama is 24-0 under Saban when converting more than half of its third-down tries on offense.

-Notre Dame is 16-1 under Kelly when winning the turnover battle. After struggling with turnovers in 2011, the Irish have done a far better job protecting the football this season.

-Kelly is 6-0 as an FBS head coach against teams whose names begin with the letter "A," beating Air Force (2011), Army (2010 and 2005) and Akron (2008, 2006, 2005). He's 14-0 all-time against such teams, including his stint at Grand Valley State.